Routines

Routines: Necessary or Not!?

Aristotle once said, “We are what we repeatedly do.”

A habit is an often unconscious action, something that you do on a consistent, repetitive basis. Routines are conscious ways of doing things repetitively and in a specific order, like making your coffee, then brushing your teeth, getting dressed and making your bed every morning. Routines are often made up of many habits, or steps taken towards accomplishing a particular goal. Routines are something everyone has but not everyone knows how to keep under control. Throughout my years in Liverpool I’ve had many routines and to be quite frank, I don’t think I could have made it through these years without them.

I spoke with fellow Liverpool students to see how they felt about routines and if they have one themselves.

Do you have any routines?

“Yes I do, They help me stay on track and make sure I get everything done I need to do throughout the day,” Liverpool student Jack Sherlock said.

“Routines are like a goal…they help me to stay in place, ” said Liverpool student Gavan Smith.

“Personally I like having a routine because when things change I tend to get overwhelmed and anxious,” Liverpool student Tlyer Bellinger replied.

Students have said that having routines has made them better academically and without one they feel as though they face burnout more easily.

“I feel present but I don’t feel my best self…I tried to go back to the regular school week after break and I felt entirely burnt out,” Olivia Sematoske said.

The key is to create a routine that adds structure and a sense of predictability to your day. Of course, your schedule may change somewhat depending on the day of the week, but sticking to a basic structure can help you lead a more organized and healthy lifestyle.

The school year goes on whether we like it or not, but for students that intend to wing it instead of having a routine they seem to feel buried at times. “I often would get frustrated and easily irritable when I wasn’t sticking to a routine,” Liverpool student Andrew Valentine said.

However, there are also some students that wing it that feel more free. Late nights and early mornings are a daily occurrence for students that don't have a routine. Talking to students that have a routine, the general consensus was that they “ wake up around 5, eat and shower, get dressed, and go to school,” whereas schedules tend to vary when school comes to a close. Some students do their homework as soon as they go home or other students take their time and wait till the last minute to do anything school related. “Not doing school work right away allows me to process things and relax, so nights where I’m free to do whatever really helps for the next day” one Liverpool student said.

Flexibility in one's schedule can also improve one's mental health. Being flexible, you’re not always stuck in your own ways, you can adapt and change. You’re able to take on challenges with a clear mind and a smile on your face. Liverpool student Christee Neil goes on to say that, “you get to do whatever you want whenever you want, you're more like a spectator which can bring both joy and excitement in your life.” When you are able to make a mental shift without remaining stuck in your typical routine, you're showing flexibility. A flexible mindset moves you away from limiting thought patterns and making you more open to new possibilities.

Building a routine is a good habit to get into while in school to better assist you in the real world however, being flexible has also shown to be beneficial. Whether you are flexible or routines you are sure to find success down each path.

By: Chris Lewis